Fiat Tipo 1.6 Multijet II Turbo diesel 120 bhp

What is it?

Bid welcome to the new Fiat Tipo. Yes, the Fiat Tipo badge returns for this new 5-door hatchback that will be landing in the UK this September.

This new shape Tipo (also coming as a station wagon) sees Fiat re-enter the C-segment to do battle with the likes of the Focus, Astra and Golf, albeit with a twist.

Just as the original Tipo (1988-95) competed as a roomy, functional hatchback, going up against the Golf but with a generally more affordable price tag, so Fiat wants to revive that same formula for 2016.

So imagine a prosaic new five-door hatch, built up around a modest pricing structure and low cost of ownership profile and you have a lot of what the new Tipo is all about.

For the UK, Tipo kicks off with a choice of five engines: 1.4 petrol (95-120 bhp); 1.6 petrol (110 bhp) and a brace of diesels: 1.3 (95 bhp) and 1.6 (120 bhp).

For UK business drivers, it’s this latter 1.6 Multijet II diesel that’ll likely line up first seeing as it offers 98 g/km for CO2 (or 99 g/km with six-speed dual clutch auto box) thus counting for low company car tax and £0 VED.

Fiat is also planning a specific Business Version of this Tipo 1.6 for the UK market (name to be confirmed). In Italy, an Eco edition at 89 g/km is also up for grabs and the intention is to have that feature in the UK business line up, too.

Expect three trim levels – UK names again to follow  – with a mid-spec 1.6 diesel manual, like this, starting at £16,995 OTR.

We recently had a first look at this reborn Tipo five-door in LHD guise on home turf in Italy and here’s what we found…

What’s hot?

•  The Tipo kicks off with a simple formula, that of a practical, roomy, functional hatchback. Value is another key part of the new Tipo equation.
• Smart looks, especially front-on, with the Tipo presenting a nicely detailed, premium look to the grille, lights and bumper treatment.
• Inside, space is another plus. Fiat is claiming class-leading legroom and boot space (440 litres) with his new age Tipo.
• The Tipo’s new dash design is simple, functional and easy to use, in keeping with the car’s style and essential DNA.
• Air con, Bluetooth and DAB will be standard on all versions of the new Tipo when it arrives in UK spec.
• Mid-spec, as tested, adds a 5-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system, 16-in alloys wheels, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob, rear parking sensors, front fog lights, cruise control.
• Simple range structure, with £1,000 ‘walk up’ from one grade to the next.
• Choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed DDCT dual clutch transmissions with this 1.6 , both sub 100 g/km so qualifying for low company car tax and £0 VED.
• In manual trim, Fiat is quoting 76.3 mpg and 0-62 mph in 9.8 secs.
• First time out, the Tipo proves well balanced and comfortable to drive and there’s decent pace from the torquey 1.6 diesel.

 What’s not?

• While the Tipo might seem keenly priced, in Italy, it’s even more so with the range kicking off at a special introductory price of 12,500 Euros (some £9,500), although admittedly that is for the base 1.4 petrol model.
• Dynamically, the Tipo is middle of the road and not a car that excites, at least in this 1.6 diesel trim. The lighter 1.4 Tipo petrol is reputedly a more fun, incisive drive.
• While the Tipo generally rides well, its simple suspension and damping can sometimes struggle over bumps and broken surfaces at speed.
• Fiat can do small car interiors very well (like the 500, for example). But the Tipo’s cabin is more basic and some of the plastic parts are definitely cost-cutting.
• Not on sale in the UK until September 2016 and full business car numbers have yet to be released.

Verdict on the Fiat Tipo 1.6 Multijet II Turbo diesel 120 bhp:

With the new Tipo, Fiat has clearly created something a bit different to the norm in the Golf/Focus C-segment. Essentially, a simple, back-to-basics car with the hint of a premium look but a price that generally undercuts the main players.

For UK business drivers on a budget, the roomy, practical Tipo has the makings of a competitive all-up package, specially with low company car taxes and official 76.3 mpg and 98 g/km for CO2 factored in.

What’s interesting, however, is that in Italy, the new Tipo is being actively promoted around the “no frills” EasyJet/airbnb type business model (ie the car is a “smart deal” for the money. And the new Tipo kicks off there for, ahem, the special introductory price of 12,500 Euros (ie £9500 or so).

You won’t get such an eye catching price tag in the UK. The range starts at £12,995 and our 1.6 diesel test car at 18,250 Euros or £13,868 approx is £15,995 here.  The marketing strategy is also different, the attention here being more on the Tipo’s roominess, spec, practicality and driving efficiency.

OK, so this 1.6 Tipo diesel may not be the sweetest in the range to drive (the 1.4 turbo petrol will likely be tops there) and with some aspects of the car, you can sense where Fiat’s cost accountants have been at work.

But as an all-up deal, the new Fiat Tipo is ready to challenge the established order.

The Low Down on Fiat Tipo 1.6 Multijet II turbo diesel 120 bhp